Carcass scalding, dehairing, and polishing machine.



J. W. KOHLHEPP.

CARCASS SCALDlNG, DEHMHING, AND POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12. m2.

1 ,2 1 0, 95 1 Patented Jan. 2, 1917 3 SHEETS-SHEET l- J. W. KOHLHEPP. CARCASS-SCALDING, DEHMRING, AND POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLiCATlON FILED FEB. 12. 1912.

- Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEEI' 2.

v such machines have been of inventions. to-wit,

"hundred per day.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. KOHLHEPP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ALLBRIGHT MILL COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CARCASS SCALDING, DEHAIRING. AND POLISHING MACHINE.

To all whom it may con ern:

llc it known that l, .loux W. honnunrr, a citizen ol' the United States, and a rcsi' dent of the city ol' ('hicago, in the c unty of (look and State of llIinois, have invented eerta' l ncw and useful lin u'ovements in (Yard g Hcalding, l)chairing, and Polishing Machincs: and I do hcrchy declare that the following is a lull, clear, and exact descrip tion of the same. reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the noun hers of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of dc vices set forth in the iatcnts for my prior l og scrapers", issued June li, lllll, .\'o. lllll,:l2:i, alul ('arcuss scraping and polishing machines", issued June 6, L91], No. 994,524.

The machines as heretofore constructed, have heeu more particularly adapted for the large capacity required in the largest packing cstahlislunellts, and have hecn adapted to satisfactorily dchair and polish from live hundred hogs per hour to approximately one thousand hogs per hour, or even a larger number. ln consequence, such large size, and have necessitated the expenditure of such power, and have been so expensive, that the smaller packing cstahlishments have not found it practical to use the same, particularly where the number of hogs to be slaughtered would not exceed several In mnsequence, the smaller packing plants have been forced to continue the scraping and polishing of the carcass by manual labor, thus greatly increasing the expense for the treatment of each carcass as compared with the larger plants, and putting such smaller plants at a serious disadvantage in marketing, owing to the larger cost entailed for the preparation of the product. In all the other machines heretofore devised for the purpose, the operator has no control whatever over the carcasses after the same ha ve been started into the machine, and in cohsmpience, where rough or old hogs are slaughtered, and treated shnulmneously with younger hogs, such machines have not always worked satisfactorily, inasmuch, as the time required to dclrair the rough hogs is much greater than requirml to dehair the younger and more tender hogs, and, in consequence,

Speclflcatlon of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 12, 1912.

dips into toward the discharge Patented Jan. 2, 191 7. Serial No. 877,133.

either the one is not fully dehaired and not properly polished, or the other is suhjectcd to serious injury it retained in the machine long cnouglrto dchair the rough carcasses.

The object of this invention is to pro vide a machine for the purpose specified, in which the carcasses are under thc control of the operator at all timcs to permit the period of treatim-nt to he varied to suit the condition of the carcass.

It is also an ohjcct ol the invention to allord a construction wherein the s alding tank and scraping and polishing machines, are constructed and asscinhlcd as suhstanlially one machine. and wherein thc ilchairing me hanism acts to constantly spray or dash the scalding water from the scalding tank upon the carcasses during opcration.

it is also an ohicct of the invention to all'ord a construction wherein the carcasses are moved upon a suitable conveyor, one by onc. into the machine, and whcrein a rotative shaft having radial heaters thereon, thc scalding Water in the tank sullicicntlv low to dash the scalding water upon the carcass and simultam-ously heats the sealded'carcass to dehair the; same.

It is also an object of the invention to all'ord a construction comprising the scalding tank and an inclined conveyor leadina upwardly and outwardly from one end thereof, and having revolving heaters act ing upon the carcass and oppositely from the movement of the conveyor, to continuously rotate the carcass, while operated upon.

A further ohjcct ol' the invention is to afl'ord a devi e of, the class described, whet-e in the carcasses from the scalding tank, are delivered upon a suitahly inclined conveyor transversely thereof, and wherein two revolving heater shafts journalcdabove the convc ycr (the one at the inlctvend of the machine, and the other at the discharge end thereof are cqui )llml with heaters) are rotated oppositely, the one to facilitate the movement of the carcass upon the conveyor I end, the other to strike and roll the carcass hack, upon the mnvcyer, permitting discharge ,lrom the machine only when its motion is arrested.

It is an object of the invention also to a ll'ord a scalding tank equipped with a machine for scraping and {ltEllllll'lIlg carcasses,

pulley 35. Power is communicated to said shaft 34, by means of said belt pulley to retate the heater shaft 26, so that the dowm wardly directed beater arms thereon strike upwardly and rearwardly, or. in other words, in the direction of travel of the con- \C'VBIZ' Near the rear end of the ma hine. and also above the conveyor, is a heater shaft iti. arallel the beater shaft 26. before descri bed, and ha ving similar arms 37, thereon. similar to the beater arms 27, before described. Said heater arms are ofa length to extend within close proximity of the upper run of the conveyel'. and are likewise provided at their extremity with curved scraping plates or ltnlVlF 38. corresponding with the scraping plates or knives before descrilmd. A sprocket wheel 39. is provided on the outer end of the main drivin r shaft 34, and a corresponding sprocket wheel 40. is engnflml on the extremity of the beater shaft 5 by means of a clutch 41. adapted to be opt-rated by a lever 42. from the operator's position alongside the scalding tank. sprocket chain 3. is trained about said s 'n'ocket wheels so that the inner beater shaft M. is rot: ted In the same dire tion with the main driving shaft or oppositely from the rotation of the lower or inner heater shaft. that is to say, M'hllt: the heater arms on the inner beater shaftstrike upwardly on the carcass and outwardly, the beaterarlns on the upper or rear beater shaftil i, strike downwardly and inwardly thereon or against the draft of the conveyer.

A suitalile sprocket wheel is provided near. the extremity of the main driving shaft 34. and trained about the same and about the sprocket wheel 15. on the rear coriveyer shaft. is a sprocket chain H, whereby the conveyer is actuated. The gambreling table #5. i positioned at the rear end of the maehine to receive, the carcasses as they drop I from the conveyer. Said table. however. spaced :1 sufficient distance from the rear emh of the machine to permit the hair and ref use carried from the machine by the con veyer. to-dro -i-between-said table and ma machine. as'shown inFig. 3.

The operation is as follows: The ughtered carcasses, are delivered into the gcaldin;: tank in the usual or in any suitable manner. and the operator (who stands upon a suitable platform at the side of the tank) a rranges the carcasses transversely-thetank substantially parallel the heatersh a f t .26 and pu-hes the same onto the conveyer. As the. earn-ass is engaged by the 'eonveyer, the beater arms 27, of the beater shaft 26, strikes uruvardly thereon. assisting the conveyer to move 'the carcasses into the ma. chine. preventing the carcasses from slidng from the conveyor hack into the tank. As the mnveyer moves h carcass upwardly and inwardly of the machine. the carcass is deluged with water, which is dashed over it by the beater arms 27, striking into the water and throwing the same rearwardly, and this operation continues all the time the carcass remains in the machine.

When the carcass reaches a position to be engaged by the re'ar heater arms or those upon the beater shaft 36, these striking downwardly and inwardly upon the carcass, and oppositely from the drive of the conveyor. cause the carcass to rotate constantly in the field of operation, presenting every portion of the carcass to the action of the heaters, while the water dashed upon the carcass by the heaters- 27-, thoroughly washes and cleanses the same asJwell as continues the scalding, until the carcass is discharged from the machine. t

'hen (from his knowledge of the condition of the carcass, and his experience) the operator has decided the carcass'is ready to discharge from the machine, he engages the lever 42, and disengages the clutch, thus stopping the drive ofthe beater shaft 36, whereupon the carcass is quickly discharged from the rear end of the machine,by the conveyeinand falls upon the table 45, ready for gamhreling.

Inasmuch as the conveyer is d 'iven constantly, alLhair and refuse falling uponthe j conveyer is delivered from the machine, falling to the floor or upon any suitable conveyer between the machine and the gambreling tahlt Inasmuch as the lower heater shaft is driven constantly and also the conveyer, it follows that the carcasses may be delivered very rapidly into the machine, the period of stoppage for the upper rear beater shaft to permit the discharge of the carcass from the machine, being less than the period necessitated to permit another carcass to be brou ht within the field of operation of he mac ine.

It is to be understood, of course, that although I have shown but two beater shafts, a greater number may be employed, and it is also to he understood that any suitable means may be employed for conveying the carcasses through the machine substantially parallel with'the heater shafts and in the ,field' of their omeration. It is to be understood further that although I have shown (and prefer) that thecarcasses are constantly sprayed and washed with the-thot water from"the scalding tank by the action of the heaters on the lower or inner heater shaft dashi'ne the same thereover, that any other suitable means may be employed for this purpose, if desired, -and, although I have shown as an important function of the lower beater shaft, its coaction with the com veyer in moving the carcasses onto the conveyer, it is to be understood that other means may be employed for this purpose, as

also may other means than the u per beater shaft for turning the carcasses, i desired.

Xumerous details of construction may be varied without departin from the-princi' 5 pics of this invention, an I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted on this application otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A scalding tank and a dehairing and polishing machine mounted thereon and embracing a transversely movable conveyer, a beater shaft journaled transversely the tank and above the inner end of the conveyer, heaters thereon striking inwardly and upwardly of the conveyer and acting to assist in loading the carcasses therconand act ing to spray and dash the hot water from the tank on said carcasses while beating and scraping the same and while supported on said conveyer, and means for rotating said carcasses on said conveyor.

2. A machine of the class described cmbracing a scalding tank, an inclined, con- 5 stantly movable conveyer therein, discharging at one end therefrom, a transverse. beater shaft journaled above the lower end of the conveyet', heaters thereon dipping into the water of the tank and striking in the direction of travel of the conveyer, and coacting with the conveyer in loading the same, an upper beater shaft journaled transversely the conveyer, heaters thereon striking downwardly and oppositely from the 5 travel of the conveyer and acting to rotate the carcasses thereon, and means throwing said upper beater shaft out of action to permit the discharge of the carcasses therepast 3. A machine of the class described em 40 bracing a scalding tank, a continuously movable conveyer discharging from the end of, the tank, scraping and polishing means mounted on the tank above the inner end of the conveyer and .co-acting with thc'conveyer in loading the carcasses thereon, and acting toda'sh the hot water from the tank thereover while moving on the conveyer, an upper rotative beater shaft, means for rotating the same to strike downwardly and 0ppositely from the travel of the convcyerand acting thereby to rotate the carcasses thereon, and a clutch acting to throw said heater shaft out of action to permit the discharge of the carcasses therepast.

4. A machine of the class described comrising a scalding tank, a scraping and polishing machine mounted at the inner end thereof and embracing a continuously movable convfiver, an upper and a lower beater shaft journaled transversely the machine, heaters thereon, means rotating said heater shafts, the lower at a relatively slow rate to strike upwardly and in the direction of travel of the conveyor to facilitate the loading of the carcasses thereon and to dash the water -trom the tank thereover, the other al a h gher rate of speed and downwardly and oppositely from the movement of the shaft to co-act therewith in rotating the carcasses thereon, and means arresting the rotation of the upper beater shaft to permit the dis- :hai of carcasses therepast and from the one me.

5. In a machine of the class described a scalding tank, an inclined conveyer extend.- ing from near the bottom thereof and uprdly and outwardly from one end oi the more, and adapted to convey scalded carcasses and the refuse therefrom from the machine, rotative beater shafts supported above the inner end of said conveyor and 'near the upper end thereof, and rotetrd op posi 'y, and beater arms thereon, one as! ing 1n the direction of the travei of the cow veyer to load the carcasses thereon and spray the same with the water from the tank, the other acting downwardly thereon to rotate the carcasses.

6. In a machine of the class described the scalding t nk, the inclined conveyor lentiing therefrom, a rotative beater shaft arranged transversely the tank above the in ner end of the conveyer, beater arms thereon of a length to dip into the water of the tank, means for rotating said heater shaft for the beater arms thereon to strike upwardly and in the direction of travel of the conveyer to assist in loading the can ("asses thereon while scra ing and dehnir ing the same, scraping an dehairing lneiill'n near the upper end of the oonveyer acting; also to rotate the carcasses on the conveyer. and means throwing the latter out of action to permit the discharge of the carcasers therepast.

7'. In a machine of the class described the scalding tank, the inclined conveyor leading upwardly and outwardly therefrom, means acting to assist in loading the carcasses upon the conveyor and to spray the carcasses with water from the tank, a beater shaft journaled above the discharge end of the conveyor, heaters thereon, means for rotating said shaft for the heaters thereon to strike downwardly and oppositely from the direction of travel of the conveyor to rotate the carcasses thereon, and a clutch for throwingsaid shaft out of action to permit the carcasses to be discharged therepast.

8. The combination with a scalding tank, of a carcass scraping and polishing machine mounted thereon, said scrapers delug ing the carcass with water from and above the level in the tank and acting to scraps and polish the carcasses and to discharge the same therefrom.

9. The combination with a carcass scalding tank, of an inclined canveyer extend-- ing thereinto and acting to deliver the--carcuss s therefrom and oppositely rotatable veyer extending veycr, opposi a carcass from the machine.

from the conveyer, said heating and scra ing means acting to retain and rotate tie carcasses at a predetermined plaice on the conveyer during the scraping and polishing operation and means scraping mechanisms mit the discharge of the carcass and 'from' the machine.

10. A machine of the class described em bracing a scalding tank, an inclined end less conveyer thereon to. discharge the hair and scrape and polish the hogs therefrom and oppositely rotating scraping and polishing means mounted above the conveyer and acting to rotate, scrape and polish the carcasses on the conveyer while moving from the tank to the point of discharge.

1]. A device of the class described comprising a water tank, an endless inclined partially submerged conveyer within said throwing one of said out of action to pertherepast tank and extending through one wall of the same and heaters arranged above said conveyer adapted to coiiperate therewith to deair and polish a carcass thereon.

12. A device of the class described comprising a tank, a superstructure thereon inclosing one end thereof, an inclined confrom near the bottom of said tank upwardly into the superstructure, heaters mounted in said superstructure adapted to strike a carcass while on the conveyer, and entrance and exit openings in said superstructure for the carcasses.

13. A machine of the class described embracing a scalding tank, an endless conveyer partia lysubmerged therein, oppositely rotating heaters arranged at different heights, and means driving the lower heaters at a difl'erentrate than the up 1'. i

14. A machine of the c described embracing a partially submergul inclined contcly rotating heaters arranged at different heights conformin to the Inclination of the conveyen'one 0 said heaters adapted to dash water on the con veyer portion above the water level and means providing for the admission and discharge of A machine of the class described comprising an endless incl ned eonveyer, beater: arranged thereover, driving mechanism con necting said heaters and conveyer, and

means throwing certain of said heaters out of action.

16. In a machine of the class described a.

pair of'upper and lower beater shafts, flexi-. ble heaters thereon, adapted to deliver the carcasses to be delivered to and past said heaters, cans driving said beater shafts, the low r to strike upwardly and inwardly, the other to strike an inclined conveyor to be carried out of of saidscrapers and discharged.

opposltely therefrom and at a higher speed, and a clutch acting to disconnect thedrive for the upper heater shaft to permit the carcasses to move therepast on the com,

vcycr.

17. In a device of the class described, sta-f driven revoluble rotating 'scra nag,

I ion a ry mounted power supporting mechanism,

means thcrcabove adapted to act conjointly therewith to dehair a carcass therebetween and means for throwing certain of mid scraping means out of action.

18.1 in a device of the class described moving supporting means for the carcass, rotating scraper elements adapted to coact therewith to rotate and. scrape the carcass, and means for throwing one of said scraper lements out of action permitting the carcass to be discharged by said supporting means.

19. In a device of the class described Itationarv mounted rcvoluble supporting and scraping means for the carcass, rotating means mounted above and adjacent thereto affording a pocket to receive, rotate and scrape 'the carcass, and means ada ted to throw certain of said elements out 0 action to permit discharge of the carcass.

20. Ina device of the class described a plurality of rotating scraping means, a mova'ble supporting element ooacting therewith to dehair a carcass, and means throwing certain of said means out of action to permit said element to discharge the carcass.

21. In a hog sci-a i1. 1 machine rotating means, scrapers yiel ab]? mounted thereon, a revoluble supportin e ement with its axis parallel that of saitf rotatin means and means for throwing certain 0 said scrapers out of action to permit discharge of the carcass;

22. In/a hog scraping machine, scrapers, a wntinuous conveyer toconvey the carcass toward the field of operation of said scrapers, and means scrapers out of action to permit the v 23. In a 0gacra'ing machine rotatable yieldable scraping 'e ments, revoluble sup porting and scrapie means for the carcass and hinged means a pted to throw certa n of said rotatable elements out of action to permit-the discharge of the carcass.

24. In a h scraping machine yielduigly mounted revo uble scraping elements, and a movable supporting an scra ing means for the carcass, certain of saic scraping cle ments pivotally mounted and adapted held out of the field of discharge of the carcass.

25. In a device of the class described mowable supportin r and scraping means for'the carcass, rotatale scraping elements thereabove means spraying the carcass with waoperation throwing certain of said the field of operation.

table elements out of operation to permit discharge of the carcass.

26. In a hog scraping apparatus, the com hination of a rotary scraping device a-eupport for the carcass, means to move this support in a fixed path and in a linear direction to hold the carcass within the line of action of the scraping device, this latter being so held with reference to the support as to prevent the carcass from passing it.

27. In a lIOg'SCI'ZIPiHg apparatus, the coml)llltltl()Il of a rotary scraping device, a carrier traveling in a n-rmanently lixed path upon which the carcass rests and whereby it is moved into contact with the scrapinp device and means provided on the carrier and tending while advancing onward with the carrier to overcome the repelling reaction of the scraping device by pushing the carcass and holding it against said device.

2b. In a hog-scraping apparatus, the com hination of a rotary scraping device, a can rier which travels in a permanently fixed path whereby the tfitl't'iiSS is moved into contact with the scraping device, whi h latter is so supported with reference to the carrier as to prevent further progress of the carcass after this latter contacts with the scraping device, and means provided on the carrier which with eoaction of the scraping; device cause the carcass to be turned and rolled about itself.

29. In a hog-scraping apparatus. the (Olin bination of a rotary scraping device, a Sta tionary support for the carcass, and a flexi ble carrier comprising transversely arranged bars by and upon which the carcass is moved along said su )port within the action of the scraping device said support serving as a frame upon which said carrier is mounted so as to occupy a fixed position below said scraping device and to travel in a permanently fixed path while occupying said position.

30. In a hog-scraping apparatus, the comhination of a rotary scraping device, a stationary inclined support for the carcass and a carrier positioned to travel in a pernianently fixed )ath below said scraping device and where iy a carcass is moved along on said support within action of said device, said carrier (tullilJl'lSlllg transversely arranged bars upon which the carcass rests while being moved forward.

31. 'In a device of the class described beaters, mechanism for moving the carcasses upwardly into the field of, and elevatin r the same at a predetermined point towar the heaters, oppositely rotatin r heating shafts, and means throwing one o the heater shafts out of action to permit passage of the carcass thereby.

352. In a hog scraping machine means act ing to advance the carcass upwardly inter- 1nittentl and dehairinp elements adapted to be thrown out of action during the advancement of said carcass.

33. In a hog scraping machine a supporting and dchairing element acting to advance the carcass intermittently, and dehairing mechanisms acting respectively to assist and retard the advance of the carcass.

34. In a hog scraping machine scraping mechanisms, and revoluhle supporting and dehairing elements adapted to elevate the carcass into the field of action of the scraping mechanisms.

35. In a hog scraping machine a plurality of rotating scraping mechanisms, and a revolublc supporting and dehairing elementadapted to elevate the carcass successively into the held of operation of said scraping mechanisms.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Sill) scribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN W. KOHLHEPP.

Witnesses:

LA warm er. REIBSTEIN, Cnmzuzs W. IIILLS, Jr. 

